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Patrick the Miracle Dog
I came across this story a few weeks ago and can't get it out of my mind. A pitbull was nearly starved to death and hours away from death when he was found in a trash chute. He survived the fall of being sent down the chute from 19 stories. March 16, 2010 was his lucky day when the man that always empties the trash found Patrick in a trash bag. The skin and bones dog was so weak he could hardly move.
He weighed only 15 pounds when he was found. He now weighs 55 pounds and looks healthy. His body temperature was so low that it wouldn't register on the thermometer. He was given a blood transfusion and put on an IV. He was wrapped in heating pads and blankets as one of the vet assistants held him on her lap to warm and soothe him. They didn't think he would make it the first 24 hours, but he did. He was named Patrick because of St. Patrick's Day and he was sure one lucky dog to fight death to make a comeback.
He was given food in small amounts because that was all his stomach could handle, plus they had to remove a hairball from a wig out of his stomach first. The dog probably ate that because food wasn't available.
Patrick lost a lot of muscle while he was starved to death. This required exercise and therapy to bring strength back to his muscles. He was the worst case of animal abuse that the vet hospital had ever seen. The woman who neglected him is still being charged with animal abuse. The sad thing is that his situation isn't unique. People that treat pets like this deserve to be treated the same way as punishment.
Today he is a happy and healthy dog that loves to sit on laps. He sleeps with the family cat on the bed of the vet who saved him. He is shy around strangers, but can be bribed with a couple of dog treats.
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